Automatic stereotype-plate-finishing machine.



S. G. GOSS. AUTOMATIC STEREOTYPE PLATE FINISHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.30, 1911.

1 ,OO9,738, Patented Nov. 28,1911.

4 SHEBTS-SHBET 1.

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(OLUMIZIA PLANoonArM C0-.WA5H|NUTON, n. c.

S. G. GOSS- AUTOMATIG STEREOTYPE PLATE FINISHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.30. 1911.

1,009,738, Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

4 SHBETBSHEET 2.

S. G. GOSS.

AUTOMATIC STEREOTYPE PLATE FINISHING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED .mrmo. 1911.

1,009,738, Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAIH CDUWASHINGTON D. c.

s. e. aoss. AUTOMATIC STEREOTYPE PLATE FINISHING MAUHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAILSO. 1911.

1,009,788. Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAIjH c0" WASHINGTON. n. c.

TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL G. GOSS, OF GLENGOE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOSS PRINTING PRESS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC STEREOTYPE-PLATIE-FINISHING MACHINE.

Application filed January 30, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL Gr. Goss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glencoe, in the. county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Stereotype- Plate-Finishing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to automatic operating machines for stereotype plates, in which when the plate is inserted into the machine and the machine set in motion the plate is automatically finished, discharged from the machine, the parts brought into original position and automatically stopped ready to receive another plate. Its object is to provide a new and improved form of auto matic plate-finishing machine.

More particularly the object of my invention is to provide new and improved mechanism in which the plate-holding drum receives the plate when in a horizontal position and then, when the machine is started, gives a partial rotation for the purpose of finishing the plate, is then tilted into a substantially vertical position, whereby the plate may be discharged by the action of gravity and properly guided to mechanism which will move the plate out of the way for the next operation, and in which, after the plate is discharged, the parts are returned to their original position and automatically stopped ready to receive another plate.

My invention also further relates to sun dry details in mechanism of the abovedescribed character hereinafter specifically pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 is an end view; Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the parts in position to receive a plate; Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the drum moved into a vertical position and the plate discharged; Fig. 4. is an enlarged detail, being a view of a portion of the framework of the machine, showing the drum and drum-frame on which the drum is mounted; Fig. 5 is a detail, being a side elevation of the drum with parts of its supporting frame in vertical section and showing in particular the mechanism by which the plate is locked in position; Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

Serial No. 605,574.

of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a detailed view of one of the operating cams.

Referring to the drawings,8 indicates the framework of the machine, on which the machinery hereinafter described is mounted.

9 indicates a shaft, which is adapted to be continuously driven by any suitable mechanism, as by a motor 10 connected with the shaft by a worm 11 and worm-gear 12 on the shaft 9. The shaft 9 is mounted in suitable brackets in the frame 8.

18-1 1 indicate pulleys, which are loosely mounted on the shaft 9 and are provided, respectively, with clutch-members 15--16.

1718 indicate clutch-members, which are feathered on the shaft 9, or otherwise suitably mounted thereon so as to rotate therewith, but slide thereon longitudinally of said shaft. When the clutch-members are moved respectively toward the adjacent clutch-members in the manner hereinafter described, it will be obvious that the pulleys 13 and 14L will be rotated.

19 indicates a drum-frame, which, by means of trunnions or stub-shafts 2021, is mounted on the frame 8 so that the frame may be tilted from a horizontal to a vertical position, the trunnions or stub-shafts 20 21 being mounted in suitable journals, as 22 23, respectively, on the frame 8.

2 1 indicates stops, which are rigidly mounted on a suitable part, as crossbar 25, 0f the frame 8 and which, extending inward, project into the path of the drumframe 19 to support the same normally in the horizontal position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4- 26 indicates a drum of the well-known character and description adapted to receive a stereotype plate. The drum 26 is revolubly mounted in rings 27, which are rigidly secured in the drum-frame 19. The drum is revolved in the rings 27 by means of a worm-gear 28 secured upon one end of the drum and a cooperating worm 29 secured on shaft 30 which is driven in the manner hereinafter described.

31 indicates a shaving'knife of any wellknown form and description mounted on a suitable portion of the framework, as 32, and in the well-known manner. It operates in the well-known manner to shave the interior ribs of the stereotype plate when the drum is rotated as hereinafter described.

33 (see Figs. 1 and 6) indicates a supporting bar, which is rigidly secured upon the interior surface of the drum and runs longitudinally thereof. It is fixed in position in the drum and is adapted to engage one edge of a plate 34 which rests thereon when the plate is inserted in the drum.

35 indicates a bar running longitudinally of the drum and resting in a suitable longitudinal slot, as 36, therein. The slot 36 is wide enough to permit an adjustment of the bar 35 circumferentially of the drum, as toward and away' from the fixed bar 33, so as to lock the plate in the-manner hereinafter described. The bar 35 is adapted to engage the other edge of the plate and, when lifted in the manner shown in Fig. 6, to bind the plate between it and the bar 33 so as to hold the plate in the drum until the plate is released therefrom.

37 indicates pins, which are fastened to the bar 35 and project outwardly into suitable openings, as 38, which communicate with the slot 36 and open to the exterior of the drum.

39 indicates levers, which are pivoted at their inner ends to the outer surface of the drum 26 and which carry, near their outer ends, lugs 40 which project into the openings 38 under the pins 37. The bearing rings 27, as is best shown in Fig. 5, are divided into two portions, a higher portion 27 and a lower portion 27*, connected by cam surfaces 41. The outer ends of the levers 39 are adapted to bear upon these portions, and their ends, which are rounded, as best shown in Fig. 5, normally and until the drum begins to rotate in the manner hereinafter described, engage the lower portions 27 of the rings 27. lVhen the drum, however, rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow on Figs. 5 and 6, the levers are carried around so as to engage the cam surfaces 41, which are so placed with relation to the drum when in a state of rest, that the levers engage the cam surfaces as soon as the drum begins to rotate, thereby swinging them slightly toward each other into the position shown in Fig. 5, lifting the lugs 40 and consequently lifting the bar 35, or, in other words, moving it toward the bar 33 circumferentially of the drum. It is obvious that if a plate is placed in the machine wit-h its edges resting upon the bars 33 and 35, as soon as the drum begins to rotate the bar 35 will be moved as above described and the plate locked between the two bars. The low portions and the high portions of the rings 27 each occupy about one-half of the circumference, from which it will be obvious that when the drum is given half of a rotation on its longitudinal axis in the manner hereinafter described the ends of the levers will pass away from the higher portion to the lower portion of the rings and leave the bar 35 free to move to release the plate.

42 indicates a tail-cutter of the wellknown form and description mounted upon a shaft 43 which, by means of beveled gear 44 and intermeshing beveled gear 45 on shaft 46 is driven in the manner hereinafter described. The tail-cutter 42 operates in the well-known manner to sever the tailpiece from the plate.

47 indicates a shaft journaled in suitable brackets near the bottom of the frame 8.

48 (see particularly detailed Fig. 7) indicates a disk, which is keyed or otherwise secured to shaft 47 and is provided with a notch or depression 49.

50 indicates a cam, which is keyed or otherwise secured on the shaft 47 adjacent to disk 48 and is provided with depressions 51 and cams 52.

53 indicates a hand-lever, which is provided with a collar 54, rigid therewith, and is journaled on shaft 55 supported in the framework of the machine.

56 indicates an arm on collar 54 whose lower end is provided with a turned-in portion 56 which normally engages the depression or notch 49 in disk 48. The lever is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by means of a suitable spring, as 57.

58 indicates a disk, which is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured on the outer end of the shaft 47.

59 indicates an arm, which is preferably formed integral with the collar 54.

60 indicates a rod whose lower end is pivotally connected with the end of the arm 59 and whose upper end is pivotally connected with an arm 61 mounted on a collar 62 which is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured upon shaft 63 ournaled in the framework 8.

64 indicates a clutch shifter arm which is secured to the shaft 63 and is adapted to engage clutch-member 17.

\Vhen the upper end of the lever 53 is moved inward the arm 59 is moved downward, and by means of the connecting rod 60 the clutch 17 is moved into engagement with the clutch-member 15 on pulley 13, which is thereupon set into rotation. This same movement of the lever frees the arm 56 from the notch 49 on disk 48 and thereby pulley 66 which is mounted upon a shaft 67.

j ournaled in the framework of the machine. The shaft 67 carries upon its inner end a worm 68 which meshes with a worm-gear 69 secured on shaft 47. As soon as the pul ley 13 begins to rotate in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 2, the pulley 66 is also driven in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, and by means of the worm 68 and worm-gear 69 the shaft 47 and its accompanying parts is driven in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 2.

70 indicates an arm whose inwardlyturned end is adapted to engage the cams 52 and is keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft 71 journaled in the framework 8.

72 indicates an arm which is also keyed upon the shaft 71.

73 indicates a connecting rod, the lower end of which is pivotally connected with the end of the arm 72 and whose upper end is pivotally connected with the outer end of an arm 74 keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft 75 journaled in the framework 8.

76 indicates a clutch-shifter arm which is keyed to the shaft 75 and which, engaging the clutch-member 18, is adapted to move it into engagement with the clutch-member 16 on pulley 1 1.

Normally the parts at the starting of the operation are in the position shown in Fig. 2, in which the end of the lever 70 is just about to be engaged by one of the cams 52. As soon, therefore, as the shaft 17 starts to operate in the manner above described, one of the cams engaging lever or arm 70 rocks the same outward, rocking the shaft 71 and rocking the arm 72 downward, thereby shifting the clutch 18 into engagement with clutch 16, causing pulley 14: to be rotated with the shaft 9.

77 indicates a belt which passes around pulley 14; and around a pulley 7 8 which is loosely mounted on shaft 21 so as to rotate thereon. 79 indicates another pulley which is rigidly connected with the pulley 78 and is preferably integral therewith.

80 indicates a belt which passes around pulley 7 9 and also around a pulley 81 which is journaled 011 shaft 16 on which the beveled gear 45 is also secured, as above described. The rotation of the pulley 78 by the belt 77 and thereby of pulleys 7 9 and 81 drives the shaft 18 and rotates the tailcutter 42.

82 indicates a pulley which is rigid with pulleys 78 and 79 and preferably integral therewith.

83 indicates a belt which passes around pulley 82 and around a pulley 841 which is secured upon the end of the shaft 30 above described on which the worm 29 above described is also secured. The shaft 30 is therefore driven, and by means of the worm 29 the drum 26 is rotated in the rings 27 in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, thus bringing the plate into operative relation with the tail-cutter, which severs the tail-piece, and into operative relation with the other finishing mechanism, as the shaving knife 31.

85 indicates an arm which is keyed or otherwise secured on the end of the shaft 20.

86 indicates a guide-block, which is pivotally mounted upon the outer end of the arm 85.

87 indicates a red, the lower end of which is connected with the outer surface of the disk 58 and whose upper end slides through the guide-block 86.

88 indicates a collar which, by means of a set-screw 89, is adjustably mounted near the upper end of the rod 87 above the guideblock 86.

The shaft 417 and consequently disk 58 being rotated in the direction shown by the arrows, say, in Figs. 1 and 2, the rod 87 is, of course, moved upward, sliding freely through the guide-block 86 until it reaches the uppermost point of its circular path. As the rotation continues it thereupon begins to descend, and when a suitable point in the rotation is reached the collar 88 engages the guide-block 86 and rocks the arm 85 downward. This movement is so timed as not to begin until after the drum has made a half rotation to complete the finishing of the plate. This downward movement of the rod 87 rocks the entire drum-frame 19 upon its trunnions or stub-shafts from the position shown in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 3-that is to say, from a horizontal to a substantially vertical position with the end of the drum from which. the plate was inserted uppermost. lln the meantime the drum having been given a half rotation to finish the plate, as above described, the ends of the arms 39 have been brought into register with the lower parts 27 of the rings 27, leaving the levers free to move and consequently the plate unlocked and free to move out of the drum by the action of gravity.

90 indicates rods, which are slidingly mounted in the frame 19 so as to move freely longitudinally of themselves therein. At the inner ends these rods support a crossbar or frame 92 which extends across the end of the drum, opposite that through which the plate enters, from side to side and is provided with a depending arm 93 rigid therewith and extending downward beyond the inner periphery of the drum and which is outside of the end thereof. The ends of the cross-bar are provided with rollers 91.

95 indicates slotted guides having longitudinal slots 96 which engage the rollers 94. The upper ends of the guides, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, are so formed that the slots 96 are formed into a circle concentric with the axis of rotation of the drum-frame 19.

97 indicates levers which, by means of collars 98, are rotatably mounted on a suitable shaft 99 mounted in the frame of the machine.

100 indicates arms which, like the levers 97, are preferably integral with the collars 98 and project downward therefrom.

101 indicates spiral springs which are connected with the arms 100 and with the framework of the machine and operate to normally hold the levers 97 in the position shown in Fig. 2that is to say, extending diagonally upward and inward past the slotted guides 95. The springs 101 are of sufficient stiffness to allow the levers 97 to yield under the weight of the stereotype plate, thus acting as a yielding stop to ease down the motion of the plate and prevent its too rapid descent. The springs, however, are strong enough when the levers 97 are relieved from the weight of the plate to lift the cross-bars 92 and rods 90 upward against the action of gravity. When the drumframe has been swung downward into the position shown in Fig. 3 and the plate unlocked in the manner above described, after having been finished its weight will cause it to free itself from the drum and its lower end, coming in contact with the cross-bar 92 and depending portion 93, will cause the same to descend down the guides 95, forcing downward the arms 97 into the ultimate position shown in Fig. 3, at which time the plate has dropped completely out of the drum.

103 indicates a pin, which projects inward from the inner surface of the drum 58.

102 indicates a rock-arm, which is secured to and preferably formed integral with a collar 104 which is journaled upon a shaft 105 secured to the framework of the machine.

106 indicates an arm depending downward from the collar 104.

107 indicates a rod whose inner end is connected with the arm 106 and whose outer end is provided with a rack 108. The rack 108 engages with a toothed wheel 109 which is revolubly mounted on a shaft 110 journaled in the framework of the machine.

111 indicates a pawl, which is mounted on the inner surface of the wheel 109.

112 indicates a ratchet which is keyed or otherwise suitably secured on the shaft 110.

113 indicates a roller mounted on shaft 110.

114115 indicate rollers suitably journaled in the framework 8.

116 indicates a belt, which passes around rollers 113 and 115 and is supported by roller 114.

It is obvious that when in the rotation of the disk 58 the pin 103 engages the arm 102 from the right in Figs. 2 and 3 the arm will be rocked in a clockwise direction, rocking also arm 106 in the same direction, moving arm 107 and rack 108 to the left, and rotating gear 109 in a contrarlockwise direction. The engagement of the pawl 111 will, of course, rotate the shaft in the same direction, moving the belt 116 in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 2, thus moving away from the machine plates deposited on the belt from the drum. The arm 106 and connecting parts are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by a spring 118. A spring 119 connecting arm with the framework of the machine tends to hold it down against the cam on which it bears.

The operation of the above-described mechanism is as follows: The shaft 9 being constantly driven, as by the motor 10, and the parts being substantially in the posi tion shown in Fig. 2, a plate is inserted into the machine by hand in the usual way, resting on the guides in the drum. When the plate is in position, the lever is pushed inward, freeing the arm 56 from engagement with the notch in the disk 48. This movement of the lever as above described throws the clutch-members 17 and 15 into engagement and the pulley 13 is thereupon rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows on Figs. 2 and 3. This rotation of the pulley is communicated by a belt 65 to pulley 66, rotating the shaft on which it is mounted and thereby, by the engagement of the worm 68 on said shaft with the worm-gear 69, rotating the shaft 47 and the parts secured thereon in the directions indicated by arrows in Figs. 2 and 3. As soon as the shaft 47 thus begins to rotate, the arm 70 rides up one of the cams 52 against the action of the spring 119 and by means of rods 73 and clutch-shifter 75 throws the clutch 18 into engagement with clutch 16 on pulley 14. This causes the pulley 14 to revolve with the shaft 9, which motion, by belt 77, is communicated to pulley 78, rotating pulleys 79 and 82, whereby by means of belt 80 and parts driven thereby the tail-cutter 42 is caused to rotate and by means of belt 83 the pulley 84 and shaft 30 are rotated. By the rotation of shaft 30 and worm 29 meshing with worm-gear 28 on drum 26 the drum is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1; As soon as the drum begins to rotate the levers 39 ride up cams 41 into the position shown in Fig. 5, lifting the bars 35 and locking the plate in the cylinder. As the plate rotates the tail is cut off by tail-cutter 42 in the wellknown manner. The drum continues its rotation until it has made a half a revolution, at which time the arm 70, held by the spring against the cam, drops off one of the cams 52, moving inward radially of the disk on which the cams are mounted into the position shown in Fig. 3, which is substantially the same position as the position of the lever shown in Fig. 2, except that it is upon the opposite side of the cam. This movement of the lever releases the clutch-members 16 and 18 and temporarily stops the rotation of the drum upon its longitudinal axis, bringing the plate, of course, upon what is then the under side of the drum. At the same time that the drum reaches this position the levers 39 pass off from the high portion of the cams 411 on rings 27 and the plate is loose in the drum. in the meantime, the disk 58, of course, has been rotated with shaft 47 and in the same contra-clockwise direction, the rod 87 rising in the bearing-block 86. After the pivotal point of the rods 87 on plate 58 has passed its highest position, of course it begins to descend, drawing the rod with it, and as the revolution continues the rod 87 is pulled down. The adjustment of the collar 88 on rod 87 is such that at the time that the drum has completed half a revolution and has come to a rest the collar 88 in its downward movement engages the bearingblock 86, rotating shaft 20, and ultimately swinging the drum around into a vertical position-the position shown in Fig. 3. During the first part of this downward movement the rollers 04, engaging the circular portion of the grooves on guides 95, are kept in position. As soon as the rollers, however, pass this circular portion of the guide the supports 9193 mounted on rods 92 as above described yield under the weight of the plate, which has been unlocked in the drum as above described, and the plate slides out of the drum, the supports 92 sliding down the groove in guides 05. The support as above described comes in contact with arms 97, which arms, yielding to the weight of the plate and stretching the spring 101, act as a spring-seated top to prevent the too rapid descent of the plate until, just before the parts have reached the position shown in Fig. 3, the plate is deposited upon the belt 116. As soon as the plate is deposited upon the belt, the pin 103 on disk 58 is so adjusted that it comes in contact with arm 102, rocking it in a clockwise direction, moving the rod 107 and rack 108 to the left into the position shown in Fig. 3, thus in the manner above described moving the belt 116 and carrying the plate away from the machine. As soon as this happens and the plate is discharged the rod 88 has passed its lowest position and begins to move upward. As the collar 88 on rod 87 is above the bearingblock 86, when the rod rises it leaves the shaft 20 free to move, and as the parts upon the left of the center of the position shown in Fig. 3 are heavier than those upon the right of the center, the drum begins to swing backward toward its original position, being restrained from falling too rapidly by the block 86 bearing against the under side of the collar 88, which, of course, can rise no faster than the rod rises. The cylinder therefore falls by gravity into its original position until the frame 19 rests upon stops 2 1, which prevents its moving any farther and the rod 27 continues to ride upward in the bearing-block 86 as above described. The supports 9293 are freed from the weight of the plate and as the drum swings back to original position the rods 97, actuated by spring 101, force the supports 92-93 upward, sliding the rods 90 back again in their bearings until the parts reach their original position. WVhile this operation is going on the rotation of shaft 47 brings one of the cams 52 again into engagement with the arm 70, lifting it and again throwing the clutclrmembers 16 and 18 into engagement, causing the pulley 14 again to rotate, thereby rotating the drum in the manner above described and in the same direction back to its original position. As soon as the parts have reached their original position, the lever again drops off the cam 52 back into its first position, unlocking clutclrmembers 16 and 18 and stopping the rotation of the drum. At this moment-that is, at the end of a complete revolutionthe notch 49 is again brought into register with the arm 56, which, under the action of spring 51, is caused to drop into the clutch, moving the lever 53 to the left into its original position, throwing off clutchmembers 15-17 and stopping the machine. The machine is then ready to receive another plate, upon the insertion of which the abovedescribed action is repeated.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

1. In combination, a drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate, plate-finishing devices, means for automatically rotating said drum 011 its longitudinal axis to cooperate with said plate-finishing means, means for automatically tilting said drum on its transverse axis into substantially vertical position to discharge said plate when the same is finished, and means for'automatically returning said drum to its original position.

2. In a stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination a plate-finishing drum adapted to be rotated on its longitudinal axis and tilted on its transverse axis and adapted to receive and hold a stereotype plate, means for automatically rotating said drum on its transverse axis, means for tilting said drum into a substantially vertical position to discharge a plate therefrom, means for returning said drum to its original position after the discharge of the plate, and hand-operated controlling means adapted to engage said drum-tilting mechanism and by its operation to cause the setting into motion of said drum-tilting mechanism and to automatically reengage the same and stop its movement after the plate has been discharged and the drum restored to its original position.

3. A stereotype-platefinishing machine having in combination a continuously-revolving shaft, a plate-finishing drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and to be rotated on its longitudinal axis and. tilted on its transverse axis and adapted to normally rest in a substantially horizontal position and automatically tend to return to the same when tilted out of said position, mechanism operated from said shaft and adapted to automatically rotate said drum when connected with said shaft, means for throwing said rotatable mechanism automatically into and out of operative relation with said shaft, drum-tilting mechanism adapted to be operated by said shaft and when connected therewith to tilt said drum into a substantially vertical position to discharge said plate and after said plate is discharged to allow said drum to automatically resume its horizontal position, means for connecting said drum-tilting mechanism and said shaft, and a lever adapted to normally engage said drum-tilting mechanism and hold the same against movement and by its movement to release said drum-tilting mechanism to operate said connecting means to connect said drum-tilting mechanism with said shaft and, after said drum has been restored to its normal position, to be automatically engaged by said drum-tilting mechanism to stop the same and to disconnect the same from said shaft.

4. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination a revolving shaft, a drum revoluble about its longitudinal axis and tiltable on its transverse axis and adapted to contain a stereotype plate, mechanism adapted when connected to said shaft for automatically rotating said drum, means for connecting said drum-rotating mechanism with said shaft, means for automatically disconnecting them therefrom, means adapted when connected with said shaft to automatically tilt said drum into a substantially vertical position to discharge said plate therefrom, means for connecting said tilting mechanism with said shaft, and means for automatically disconnecting it therefrom at the end of its operation.

5. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination a revolving shaft, a drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and adapted to be rotated on its longitudinal axis and tilted on its transverse axis, platefinishing means adapted when said drum is rotated to finish a plate contained therein, mechanism interposed between said drum and said shaft and adapted when connected with said shaft to rotate said drum about its longitudinal axis, means interposed between said shaft and said drum and adapted when connected with said shaft to tilt said drum, after said plate is finished, to permit the discharge of said plate therefrom by the action of gravity, a hand-lever adapted by its movement to effect the connection of said drum-tilting and said drum-rotating mechanisms with said shaft, and means for automatically disconnecting said drum-tilting and said drum-rotating mechanisms from said shaft after the plate has been finished and discharged and the drum restored to its normal position.

6. In combination, a framework, a revoluble shaft mounted on said framework, means for driving the same continuously, a tiltable drum-frame mounted in said framework and adapted to normally rest in a horizontal position and to return thereto by the action of gravity when thrown out of normal position, a drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and mounted in said framework revoluble on its longitudinal axis, plate-finishing means adapted by the rotation of said drum to finish said plate, mechanism adapted when connected with said shaft to rotate said drum about its longitudinal axis in said drum-frame, mechanism adapted when connected with said shaft to tilt said frame and bring said drum into substantially vertical position, a lever, and mechanism controlled by said lever and adapted by the movement thereof to connect said frame-tilting mechanism and said drum-rotating mechanism with said shaft and auto matically disconnect the same from said shaft when said frame and drum have been restored to their original position.

7. In combination, a framework, a revoluble shaft mounted on said framework, means for driving the same continuously, a tiltable drum-frame mounted in said framework, a drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and mounted in said framework revoluble on its longitudinal axis, plate finishing means adapted by the rotation of said drum to finish said plate, a pulley loosely mounted on said shaft, clutch-mechanism adapted to connect said pulley with said shaft, a disk having a depression in its circumference, means for driving said disk from said pulley, a lever normally engaged with the depression in said disk and adapted by its movement to free said disk and throw said clutch mechanism into engagement, a cam rigid with said disk, a second pulley loosely mounted on said shaft, a second clutchmechanism adapted to engage said second pulley and rotate the same from said shaft, mechanism adapted to be engaged by said cam and by the rotation thereof to throw said second clutch mechanism into and out of engagement, mechanism driven by said second pulley to rotate said drum upon its longitudinal axis, means driven by said first pulley and adapted to tilt said drum-frame and bring said drum into a vertical position, and means for automatically stopping said frame-tilting and said drum-rotating mecha nisms when said drum and frame are restored to their normal positions.

8. In combination, a framework, a revolu- 12. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination a continuously-rotating driving-shaft, a plate-finishing drum adapted to be rotated on its longitudinal aXis and tilted on its transverse axis, a drivingpulley, clutch-mechanism adapted to connect said pulley with said driving-shaft, a lever, connections between said lever and said clutch-mechanism for operating the same, a rotatable device adapted to normally engage said lever to be freed therefrom when said lever is moved to throw said clutch-mecha nism into engagement and to automatically engage said lever after a predetermined period of rotation has been reached and throw said clutch-mechanism out of engagement, a second pulley on said shaft, a second clutch-member adapted to connect said shaft and said pulley, mechanism operated by said rotatable member to cause said clutches to engage and disengage the same when a pre determined amount of rotation has been given said rotatable member, mechanism operated by said second pulley and adapted to rotate said drum about its longitudinal axis, and mechanism driven by said firstnamed pulley for tilting said drum into a substantially vertical position and adapted to begin the tilting operation after a predetermined degree of rotation of said drum on its longitudinal axis has been accomplished and further adapted to permit said drum, after having been tilted into a vertical posi tion, to return to its normal horizontal position.

13. In a stereotype-platefinishing machine, in combination, a rotatable and tilt able drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate, means for automatically rotating and tilting the same, plate-finishing devices adapted by the rotation of said drum to finish a plate therein, a plate-support slidable longitudinally in relation to said drum and adapted to engage the end of the stereotype plate as said drum is tilted and support the same, guides adapted to engage said plate-support, and yielding means interposed in the path of said guides and adapted to yield under the action of gravity as the same descend until freed from said plate, and, when relieved of said plate, to automatically move said plate-support back toward its normal position.

14. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine, in combination, a rotatable and tilt-able drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and to permit its discharge therefrom by the action of gravity when tilted to a vertioal position, means for rotating said drum, means for tilting the same into a substantially vertical position, plate-finishing means adapted by the rotation of said drum to finish a plate therein, guide-rods movable longitudinally of themselves, a plate-support secured to one end of said guide-rods and adapted to engage the end of a plate as the same is discharged from said drum when tilted, guides adapted to engage said support in its downward motion, spring-seated levers adapted to be engaged by said support as it descends and to yield under the weight of a stereotype plate 011 said support and to automatically tend to restore said support to its normal position when relicved of the weight of said plate, and means for moving said plate away from said support when freed from said drum.

15. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination, a rotatable and tiltable drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and to permit its discharge therefrom by the action of gravity when tilted to a vertical position, means for rotating said drum, means for tilting the same into a substantially vertical position, plate-finishing means adapted by the rotation of said drum to finish a plate therein, guide-rods mounted near said drum and movable longitudinally of themselves, a plate-support secured to one end of said guide-rods and adapted to engage the end of a plate as the same is discharged from said drum when the same is tilted, guides adapted to engage said support and guide the same in its downward movement, spring-seated stops adapted to be engaged by said support as it descends and to yield under the weight of a stereotype plate on said support and to automatically tend to restore said support to its normal position when relieved of the weight of said plate, a carrier belt adapted to receive the plate when freed from said drum, and means for operating said carrier belt to move said plate when discharged from said drum and support.

16. In combination, a plate-finishing drum adapted to be rotated upon its longitudinal axis, means for rotating the same, a fixed bar 011 the interior surface of said drum adapted to engage the edge of a plate, a movable bar in said drum adapted to engage the other end of a plate, levers mounted on said drum and adapted to engage said movable bar, cams adapted to be brought into engagement with said levers as said drum rotates and move the same to cause the plate to be locked between said fixed and said movable bars and adapted, after a given portion of a rotation of the drum is completed, to release said levers.

17. In combination, a frame, supporting rings mounted on said frame, a plate-finishing drum revolubly mounted in said rings, a fixed bar in the interior of said drum running longitudinally thereof and adapted to engage one edge of a plate, a movable bar 111 the lnterlor of said drum running longitudinally thereof and adapted ble shaft mounted on said framework, means for driving the same continuously, a tiltable drum-frame mounted in said framework, a drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and mounted in said framework revoluble on its longitudinal axis and also adapted to normally rest in a horizontal position and to return automatically thereto when free to do so, plate-finishing means adapted by the rotation of said drum to finish said plate, a pulley loosely mounted on said shaft, clutch-mechanism adapted to connect said pulley with said shaft, a disk having a depression in its circumference, means for driving said disk from said pulley, a lever normally engaged with the depression in said disk and adapted by its movement to free said disk and throw said clutch mechanism into engagement, a cam rigid with said disk, a second pulley loosely mounted on said shaft, a second clutch-mechanism adapted to engage said second pulley and rotate the same from said shaft, mechanism adapted to be engaged by said cam and by the rotation thereof to throw said second clutch mechanism into and out of engagement, mechanism driven by said second pulley to rotate said drum upon its longitudinal axis, means driven by said first pulley and adapted to tilt said drum-frame and bring said drum into a vertical position, and means for automatically stopping said frame-tilting and said drum-rotating mechanisms when said drum and frame are re stored to their normal positions.

9. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination a continuously-moving driving-shaft, a drum adapted to receive a stereotype plate and rotatable on its longitudinal axis and adapted to be tilted on its transverse axis, plate-finishing means adapted to cooperate with said drum when the same is rotating to finish a plate, mechanism adapted when put into operative re lation with said shaft to tilt said frame into a substantially vertical position, clutchmechanism adapted to connect said drumtilting mechanism with said shaft, mechanism adapted when put into operative relation with said shaft to rotate said drum on its longitudinal axis, clutch-mechanism adapted to put said drum-rotating mechanism into operative relation with said shaft, a lever adapted to normally engage said drum-tilting mechanism and by its movement in one direction to be disengaged therefrom and to throw said drum-tilting mechanism into operative relation with said shaft, mechanism operated by said drum-tilting mechanism to automatically cause the engagement of the clutch-mechanism controlling said drum-rotating mechanism, and mechanism adapted to cause said operating lever to again engage said drum-tilting mechanism at the end of a complete operation and automatically disengage said clutch-mechanism.

10. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination a continuously-rotating driving-shaft, a pair of pulleys loosely journaled on said shaft, a pair of clutchmechanisms adapted by their movement to respectively connect said pulleys with said shaft, a hand-lever adapted by its movementin one direction to throw some one of said.

clutches into engagement with its adjacent pulley, a tiltable frame adapted by the action of gravity to normally remain in substantially a horizontal position and automatically return thereto when moved out of the same and when free to move, a platefinishing drum mounted in said frame and adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis therein, mechanism operated by said lastnamed pulley to tilt said frame into a vertical position, said mechanism being normally engaged by said hand-lever and adapted to be released therefrom by its clutch-shifting movement, mechanism adapted to be driven by the other pulley to rotate said drum about its longitudinal axis in said frame, and mechanism operated by said drum-tilting mechanism to cause the engagement between said last-named pulley and its govern ing clutch.

11. A stereotype-plate-finishing machine having in combination a continuously-rotating driving-shaft, a pair of pulleys loosely journaled on said shaft, a pair of clutch mechanisms adapted by their movement to respectively connect said pulleys wit-h said shaft, a hand-lever adapted by its movement in one direction to throw some one of said clutches into engagement with its adjacent pulley, a t-iltable frame adapted by the action of gravity to normally remain in a hori Zontal position and return thereto when moved out of the same and when free to move, a plate-finishing drum mounted in said frame and adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis therein, mechanism oper ated by said last-named pulley to tilt said drum into a vertical position, said mechanism being normally engaged by said handlever and adapted to be released therefrom by its clutch-shifting movement, mechanism adapted to be driven by the other pulley to rotate said drum about its longitudinal axis in said frame, mechanism operated by said drum-tilting mechanism to cause the engagement between said last-named pulley and its governing clutch, and mechanism adapted upon the completion of the operative movement of the machine and the restoration of the drum and frame to their original positions to automatically engage said lever and automatically disengage the operating clutches.

to be moved circumferentially of said drum amount of rotation has been completed, to toward Cand away fdrl'om said fixed bar, lever; release said levers.

mounte on said rum and en 'a ing sai movable bar, cams on said ririiqs adapted SAMUEL GOSS' when said drum is rotated to engage said Witnesses:

levers and move said movable bar toward D. WHITE,

said fixed bar and, after a predetermined W. H. DE BUSK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

